Sucampo releases glaucoma drug in U.S.

The company said Tuesday evening that the Food and Drug Administration in December approved a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for Rescula (unoprostone isopropyl ophthalmic solution 0.15%) for the lowering of intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

"Rescula is an important prostone-based treatment option for patients suffering from open-angle glaucoma, which is the most common form of glaucoma," stated Ryuji Ueno, chairman, chief executive officer and chief scientific officer at Sucampo. "We have already received positive feedback from many in the ophthalmology and optometry communities regarding Rescula's unique mechanism of action as a BK channel activator, and we are pleased that patients will now have access to the drug in order to help treat this disease."

Sucampo said that according to the approved product labeling, Rescula may be used as a first-line agent or concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower intraocular pressure. The company noted that Rescula is a BK (Big Potassium) channel activator, which is different from other agents that lower intraocular pressure.